Ventureless

I dont think many people that try a Vstrom dislike it. There are times I yearn for more power. But not often. Mine gets highway duty every day commuting and I still average 55mpg. And as you said, the weight is awesome compared to the Venture and RSTD.

I did just as you are thinking. I sold my almost 100k mile Venture and bought a like new Tour Deluxe. After a few months riding the TD, I decided I wanted FI, ABS, and something lighter. Sold the TD and 15 minutes or so later picked up an 08 Vstrom650 ABS with about 12k miles and a few accessories. Paid $4k and have been very happy since last May. I ride almost daily. I am a big guy at 6'4" and 250 plus pounds. I get around 55mpg and that is commuting at 75 mph each way to work. Off road has been ok so far even with the street tires. My next set of tires will be a mix of on off road. I lust after a Super Tenere or BMW 1200 or 800 GS, or KTM 1290 but honestly can't justify the money when the little 650 does everything I need with very little maintenance. I compare it to the Venture. Great motor and very reliable. It it is more windy of a ride, but it feels good in the summer and I have good winter riding gear. I would be happy to answer any questions you have the best I can.

I put a Reckless on my RSTD when I had it. I loved it. No better mileage, but no worse either. I had 2 shields. A shorty for summer and a taller one for winter. Definitely protected my hands much better. Not sure if the passenger ride is better or not. Depending on what fairing you get will dictate availability of shields. The Reckless would take any Harley touring shield so lots of options. The big win for me was a sweet stereo for the long rides!

Damn I am jealous. I bought my Vstrom last May. Although I really like it, I also really like the Super Tenere and have been lusting after that or the KTM 1190 or 1290. The one thing I wish the Tenere had was non spoked rims. I know they are better for off road, but also require another maintenance item. Once again, I am jealous. Nice bike!

I don't need it for street at all. I will be keeping my Vstrom to ride street with. Also don't need a 2 stroke 500. I have been looking hard at 250s. I think a 2 stroke 250 would suit me just fine. There is plenty around me for sale in my price range. Just not sure what to pick. I plan on looking at several this week and picking the ones I think are best. I will most likely post them and get some more opinions once I have picked a few. And I don't need new and I don't need pretty. Just big enough for me and mechanically sound!!!

Thanks Puc! I do have some off-road/woods experience, but not for the last 20 years. As a youngster, started out on a Honda 50, then to an XR100, and the last one I actually owned was an XR200. Now of course I have my Vstrom and have done some light off road with it. The Strom is like the KLR where it is more street than off road. I do a lot of standing on it whether on or off road. I like the idea of a 2 stroke just so I can get more power from something smaller and lighter. There re are a lot of TTR 125s for sale around me, but it is so small for me frame wise, I am not sure I could do it. I will ill post here later again this week when I pick a few out to go look at this weekend and get some opinions. I would get myself a KTM if they weren't so damn expensive for one in my size. I am good with the 65 for a grand for the boy. I know it will be a good time with my son. I have tried keeping up with him on my Vstrom and with the street tires I have, I can't get the traction to keep up!!!

The informative version:happy34:

My goal is to get both his and mine for around $3k. His will be around $1k so that leaves me with about $2k for mine. I have found plenty of 250/300 or so 2 strokers, but not many large 4 strokes.

I am getting ready to upgrade my son's dirt bike. I bought my Vstrom so I could ride street and do some off-roading with him. Well now I am going to buy a strictly off road bike for me as well. I am keeping my Vstrom for on road, but something made for just off road is to much fun for me not to get one and ride the earth with my 9 year old. So so those who have met me know I am a big dude. 6'4" and 250 -275 pounds. So what do I need to look for? Also what is easier to work on and maintain, 2 stroke or 4? It won't be any riding to tough or fast. At least not yet! But I also want to be able to ride some wheelies and teach my son how to do it and jumps as well. Mostly trail riding though for now. I am hoping to pick up some new toys next weekend. My son will likely end up with a nice used KTM 65 already set up with some upgrades!

Havent had had me Venture in over a year now, but I believe they 230 Tourmasters. Stock size if I remember right.

I liked the Shinko rear much better than the E3. Don't get me wrong, the E3s rode great, but they wore funny for me and then felt terrible. I might have gotten close to 10k miles on mine before they felt so bad I couldn't stand them anymore. The Shinkos were cheap enough, stuck awesome, and I got almost the same mileage as the E3. At least the rear. I ran a Shinko rear and Pirelli front and never felt more confidence on my old Venture.

Depends on on whether you are talking 2012 and older 1000 or the newer 2014 and up 1000. If you are talking the 1st gen 1000, it had some clutch chudder, less mpg, only about 50 pounds heavier than the 650. Also no abs on the 1000 until the 2nd gen. The 1st gen 1000 also has some factory tuning issues. Nothing than can't be fixed easily with a programmer though. I went back back and forth between which one to get. I ended up with an 08 650 with ABS. 10k miles and in perfect shape for $4k. I was really worried about power, but not anymore after riding it for 5 or 6 months now.

I think you would be pleased with a 650 Vstrom. Plenty of 1 up power. I am 280 or so and I have never needed more from mine. Handles great. It is like the Venture of the adventure bike world. Low maintenance. Fairly cheap parts. Lots of support for aftermarket and on the forums. And usually run forever. Plenty of 100k mile bikes out there with no major issues. I was concerned before I bought mine but a member here let me ride his Vstrom and I ended up with one. And after my first short trip last week, I made the right decision!

A few weeks ago a friend of ours wanted to take all the kids out shooting. They range from 8 to 16. His 3 girls shoot all the time with him and the 2 older ones hunt with him. The younger one who is my daughter’s best friend shoots but no hunting yet. I have always been hesitant about letting my daughter start shooting as she does not seem like she would be the safest person. She did fine though. And my 9 year son is incredible. He plays all kinds of sports and is mediocre at them, but since the very first shot he ever took years ago, he blows my mind. I am thinking competition shooter is in his future. Here are a few pics of my kids and wife. Always fun going to the farm to shoot!!!

Screw the the fair trial. They should have just taken care of him right there in the Walmart parking lot and been done.